Political marriage!
The real political marriage began in the Han Dynasty. Back then, Bai Shan Liu Bang was besieged by Mao Dun. He had no choice but to resort to trickery. Mao Dun offered him beauties and valuables. Only then was he able to escape. From then on, China's most distinctive political marriage policy began.
From the beginning, political marriage was a humiliating process. It was the Central Plains' submission to external humiliation. The real reason why political marriage became popular was because of Zhaojun's departure from the frontier that we heard so much about.
Zhaojun's departure in exchange for 60 years of peace at the border of the Tang dynasty was passed down as a legend. In the eyes of the rulers of the past, if they could sacrifice a woman to avoid 60 years of war at the border, it was probably the most worthwhile thing in the world.
"Tuyuhun has always been on good terms with the Central Plains. In the previous dynasty, our king once married the princess of the previous dynasty, Guanghua Princess, and the two countries were at peace for decades. Now, our king wants to follow the example and specially ordered us to come here and ask for a political marriage. From now on, the Tang dynasty and Tuyuhun will be on good terms forever. There will be no more troubles at the border!"
In the Taiji Palace, the Tuyuhun emissary dressed in grassland clothing spoke with fervor and assurance. In reality, he was blowing his own trumpet. The political marriage between Tuyuhun and the Sui Dynasty was a fact. However, when Emperor Yang of Sui was on the throne, he directly conquered Tuyuhun. It was not until the Sui Dynasty was destroyed that the Tuyuhun took the opportunity to regain the throne.
Li Shimin coldly said, "Tuyuhun openly plundered Shanzhou. Is this the sincerity to ask for a marriage?"
The Tuyuhun emissary cupped his hands and said, "Please calm your anger. This was done by the Ming King in private. When I return to Tuyuhun, I will certainly report to our king and punish him severely."
Tuyuhun's political structure was typical of nomads. Other than Fu Yun as the king of Tuyuhun, there were many other kings in Tuyuhun. The Ming King was the most powerful among them. Fu Yun had long been dissatisfied with him. If he could be eliminated through the hands of the Tang dynasty, it would be killing two birds with one stone.
Li Shimin and the courtiers' expressions relaxed. If they could marry the Tuyuhun and stop the troubles at the border, it would be a good thing.
The Minister of Rites Linghu Defen frowned and said, "I wonder which prince Tuyuhun is going to ask for a marriage."
The Tuyuhun King Fu Yun was already old. Naturally, he had married the previous dynasty's Princess Guanghua. Naturally, he was not in the list of political marriages. Therefore, it could only be Fu Yun's son!
The Tuyuhun emissary said, "Our king has a son, the Ming King. He is only 18 years old and is a first-class warrior in Tuyuhun. Our king has specially asked for a marriage for the Ming King's son!"
Li Shimin pondered for a moment. According to the information of the Tang dynasty, the Ming King's son was indeed Fu Yun's most beloved son. If they could marry him, with the help of the Tang dynasty, he would definitely be able to ascend the throne of Tuyuhun in the future. At that time, the border between the two countries would naturally be free of worries.
"However, my son has heard that the Tang dynasty has an Ice Snow Princess. She is as beautiful as ice and the ice she makes is extremely delicious. Our Tuyuhun is covered with snow and ice all year round. Isn't it a perfect match?"
The entire court was immediately in an uproar. The Ice and Snow Princess was Princess Changle's nickname among the common people. The story of ice and snow and ice cream could be said to have swept through the city of Chang 'an on a hot summer day. Gradually, word spread that the ice cream was made by Princess Changle. As a result, she gradually gained the beautiful title of Ice and Snow Princess.
Linghu Defen's expression suddenly changed. He said angrily, "How arrogant! Throughout China, there has never been a marriage between a royal daughter and a prince."
Cheng Yaojin gritted his teeth and said with a cold smile, "The Tuyuhun really thinks that our Tang dynasty's army is weak. However, they don't know how strong the Turks were in the past. Now, they are just defeated by the Tang dynasty!"
The Tuyuhun envoy's expression changed. The Turks were the overlords of the Western Region in the past. The Tang dynasty defeated the Turks three years ago and captured the Turks' Khan Xieli. It could be said that it shocked the entire Western Region.
The Tuyuhun had the special geographical advantage of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, so they dared to be fearless. However, even so, every time they went there, they would plunder and did not dare to excessively provoke the Tang dynasty.
"Calm down, Khan."
The Tubo envoy suddenly stepped forward and said.
"As the saying goes, a fair and graceful woman is a good match for a gentleman. The Honorable King and the Ice Snow Princess are about the same age. The man is talented and the woman is beautiful. If we can facilitate this beautiful marriage, increase the trust between the two countries, and eliminate the war between the two countries, wouldn't it be a beautiful story for all eternity?"
The Tubo envoy's words immediately made all the courtiers frown. The Tubo envoy seemed to be helping, but in fact, he was conveying a heavy fact to the courtiers. The Tubo Emperor was on the Tuyuhun's side.
Tuyuhun and Tubo were both located on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. If the two countries helped each other, the Tang dynasty would face a much more dangerous situation.
According to the Tang dynasty's previous idea, it was to pull one over and fight the other. But now that the two countries joined forces, the Tang dynasty's wishful thinking would probably fail. If they really fought, then the Tang dynasty would have to fight on two fronts and directly face the armies of the two countries. At that time, it would be hard to say who would win or lose.
The courtiers suddenly became gloomy. It seemed that the situation was not good!
The Tuyuhun and Tubo envoys smiled at each other. They dared to be so fearless because they knew the pulse of the Tang dynasty. Although the Tubo and Tuyuhun were not as strong as the Turks, the two countries joined forces and occupied the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which was enough to make up for the lack of military strength.
"Please consider it, Khan. The Honorable King's son has heard that the Ice Snow Princess's beauty is unparalleled and has been thinking about her day and night. This matter has been widely spread in the Tuyuhun tribes. If we can marry the Ice Snow Princess, we will definitely be able to take over the grassland tribes. We hope Khan will agree." The Tuyuhun envoy used both the carrot and the stick.
Suddenly, the entire court hesitated. War was the most expensive activity. When the Tang dynasty conquered the Turks, it seemed that they had achieved great results, but in fact, they had also suffered great losses. They had lost more than 60% of their warhorses, and the rest of their food and fodder consumption was also incalculable.
Tuyuhun was not much weaker than the Turks, and with the support of Tubo, it was hard to say who would win if the war broke out again.
"Your Majesty, it would be a good thing if the two countries could be on good terms. However, Princess Changle is still young. It would be good if there were other candidates." Censor Wang reported. Princess Changle was Li Shimin's sweetheart. Of course, Princess Changle could not be married. According to the usual practice, a suitable candidate would be chosen from the daughters of the imperial family.
For a while, the courtiers were talking about it. Many of them agreed with this idea.
Even the Tuyuhun emissaries were hesitant. Naturally, they knew of Princess Changle's status. It was nearly impossible for them to marry the eldest princess of the first wife. The only reason they had demanded such an exorbitant price was to obtain more benefits.
At this moment, a young and tender voice rang out from behind everyone. It was powerful and resonant.
"I oppose the marriage!"
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